Below is a message from Resilience Executive Director Erin Walton, published on June 3, 2020: As a Black woman, wife and mother I can say that it is an extremely difficult time to be Black in America. Black people account for 72% of COVID-19 deaths in Cook County....

Resilience envisions—and demands—a world where all people are supported as equal members of society. Our work to empower survivors and end sexual violence is the work to end white supremacy and anti-Blackness. Just like murder, sexual violence is a weapon used to...

Update as of 5/25/20: We did it! Thanks to your support, Illinois lawmakers have recognized that #SurvivorsNeedOptions and have voted to expand the number of evidence collection sites! Thank you for your advocacy! We need your help to expand sexual assault evidence...

Resilience is hosting a virtual training called Safety Is Survivor-Defined: Exploring Safety Planning with Survivors of Domestic Violence during COVID-19. Please see below for more details. Safety Is Survivor-Defined: Exploring Safety Planning with Survivors of...

Resilience is hosting a Sunday Story Time series on Facebook Live through the end of August 2020. Please see below for more details. Sunday Story Time Sundays May 17, 2020 through August 30, 2020 12:00–12:30pm CT We are bringing education and solidarity to your home!...

Resilience is hosting a virtual summer book club from May 2020 through August 2020. Please see below for more details. Resilience Summer Book Club Resilience is continuing to stay connected with the community this summer through our virtual Summer Book Club series....

In honor of Resilience’s 45th anniversary and our theme “Celebrating Resilience,” we’re celebrating the people who make #OurResilience possible and telling the stories of some of our biggest supporters. This month we’re celebrating the staff who put their leadership...

In this time of uncertainty, there’s a fundamental truth that gives us hope: that together we can do extraordinary things. Over the past few weeks and months, so many in our community have come together to help out, give back, and show they care. Whether through...

In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, Resilience Trauma Therapists have created Feeling First, a two-part podcast about creativity and the healing process. You can watch the video below or click here to watch on YouTube.

Swedish Hospital has expanded COVID-19 testing for patients who meet the CDC and IDPH criteria. To determine if you need a COVID-19 test, call Swedish Hospital’s free COVID-19 Help Line at 773-907-7700 or begin screening online. Your results will be evaluated by a...

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the United States and around the world, threatening the lives, health, and livelihoods of millions, we need Congress to act urgently to provide immediate protections for essential workers, families, women and non-binary folks...

Now is not the time to close emergency room doors. Please join us as we support Provident nurses in petitioning Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle to reopen Provident’s ER. Resilience is incredibly disheartened to learn about the closure of Provident Hospital’s...

Our partners at Legal Aid Chicago are now operating a Public Benefits Outreach and Enrollment Hotline at 312-347-8342. You can call this number to get help applying for benefits from the Department of Human Services, including SNAP food assistance, Medicaid health...

Our partners at Legal Aid Chicago have created an info sheet about revised health insurance coverage for Illinois residents who become uninsured during the COVID-19 pandemic. Please click here to read and download the handout.

Researchers in Chicago and Los Angeles are conducting a study through California State University–Northridge about survivors of unwanted sexual experiences whose work or employment was affected (directly or indirectly) by their experience. Please keep reading to learn...

Resilience is one of 209 organizations and educational institutions that signed onto the National Women’s Law Center’s letter calling on the Department of Education (ED) and the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to suspend Title IX rule making until...

Our partners at Legal Aid Chicago have created a handout to help you understand whether you can be evicted during the COVID-19 public health crisis in Cook County. Please view the handout below and call Legal Aid Chicago for more information at 312-341-1070.

Governor Pritzker has expanded the availability of unemployment benefits. Click here to read an article that explains the changes. Keep reading to download fact sheets created by our partners at Legal Aid Chicago on state and federal changes to unemployment benefits....

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act has been signed into federal law, and our partners at Legal Aid Chicago have created some helpful info sheets about the new paid sick leave and paid leave benefits under the expanded Family and Medical Leave Act. Read more...

Resilience, along with 27 other groups, has signed onto a letter of support for funding research on the prevention of child sexual abuse. The letter has been shared with the leaders of the Appropriations Committees in both the House and the Senate. Click here to read...

Resilience recognizes that sexual violence does not pause during a pandemic. In these unprecedented times, we are doing everything we can to assure that survivors have the support needed to heal. We will continue to be creative and innovative in our efforts to ensure...

All court dates for Emergency Orders of Protection that are set to return or expire on March 17, 2020 through and including April 15, 2020 are extended, rescheduled and continued. Survivors can visit their website to see their next court date by clicking here.

Living through the current COVID-19 pandemic can be uniquely challenging for survivors and their loved ones. You may not have access to the same spaces and opportunities for self-care that are normally available, and you may experience more negative emotions such as...

As an organization dedicated to the healing of survivors and their loved ones, we are prioritizing the health and safety of everyone in our community as we make decisions about how to best proceed with our programs and events. We are continuing to monitor the spread...

We want to share a brief update regarding our Evening of Impact: Everyone Empowered happening on April 30. We continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19, the new strain of coronavirus, and to receive official updates and information from the Centers for Disease...

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Resilience, along with participating organizations, will be hosting virtual events and fundraising to raise awareness of sexual violence and support survivor-led movements to end rape culture. Please click the link above...

In honor of Resilience’s 45th anniversary and our theme “Celebrating Resilience,” we’re celebrating the people who make #OurResilience possible and telling the stories of some of our biggest supporters. This month we’re celebrating the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners...

**IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 3/16/20: THIS SUPPORT GROUP HAS BEEN CANCELED** As of March 16, this support group has been canceled. We will keep our community and training registrants updated as information and guidance related to the spread of COVID-19 continues to...

Resilience partnered with six other community agencies to ask the 2020 candidates for the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County about their plans for addressing gender-based violence. Please view their responses below: Sexual and domestic violence are an epidemic...

**IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 3/16/20: THIS SUPPORT GROUP HAS BEEN CANCELED** As of March 16, this support group has been canceled. We will keep our community and training registrants updated as information and guidance related to the spread of COVID-19 continues to...

Resilience partners with six other community agencies to ask the 2020 candidates for the Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney about their plans for addressing gender-based violence. Sexual and domestic violence are an epidemic throughout Cook County, affecting...

Resilience is seeking Volunteer Medical Advocates! Click here to view the full description for our volunteer positions. For more information about our volunteer program and how to get involved, click here.

Curious about what other students in Chicago are doing about sexual violence on their campus? Join college students across the city on February 28, 2020 to discuss this topic! This is the second meeting of college students at Resilience this year. Please see below for...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual assault. Click...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual assault. Click...

The state of Illinois is currently imprisoning survivors of sexual violence, for actions they took for their own protection. We invite you to join us as we support Cabrini Green Legal Aid and Love & Protect in campaigning for the clemency of two imprisoned...

In honor of Resilience’s 45th anniversary and our theme “Celebrating Resilience,” we’re celebrating the people who make #OurResilience possible and telling the stories of some of our biggest supporters. This month we’re shining a spotlight on Ashton McLean-Hall....

**IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF 3/16/20: THIS SUPPORT GROUP HAS BEEN CANCELED** As of March 16, this support group has been canceled. We will keep our community and training registrants updated as information and guidance related to the spread of COVID-19 continues to...

Curious about what other students in Chicago are doing about sexual violence on their campus? Join college students across the city on January 21, 2020 to discuss this topic! Please see below for more details: Student Meeting Tuesday, January 21, 2020 5:30–7:30PM...

Approximately 90 percent of rapes perpetrated by an acquaintance of the victim involve alcohol. About 43 percent of sexual assault events involve alcohol use by the victim and 69 percent involve alcohol use by the...

Join the Resilience Associate Board this holiday season to enjoy an evening of art and support a good cause! Please see below for details: Holiday Paint and Sip Fundraiser The Resilience Associate Board is hosting a winter-themed sip and paint event at Pinot’s Palette...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual assault. Click...

**IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF MARCH 13, 2020: THIS TRAINING HAS BEEN POSTPONED.** As of March 13, 2020, our training titled Safety is Survivor-Defined: Exploring Safety Planning with Survivors of Domestic Violence has been postponed. We will keep our community and...

In honor of Resilience’s 45th anniversary and our theme “Celebrating Resilience,” we’re celebrating the people who make #OurResilience possible and telling the stories of some of our biggest supporters. This month we’re celebrating the donors who partner with us to...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual assault. Click...

Mark your calendars! This year #GivingTuesday is on Tuesday, December 3, 2019. You can support Resilience by clicking the Donate button at the top of our website. GivingTuesday is a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Celebrated...

Resilience is partnering with Legal Aid Chicago to provide free comprehensive legal assistance for sexual assault and sexual violence survivors, as a part of the Comprehensive Legal Assistance for Survivors Project (CLASP). Please see details below or check our...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Aid Chicago, Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual assault. FREE...

RESILIENCE STATEMENT OF AFFIRMATION FOR TRANS STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS DURING SUPREME COURT CONSIDERATION OF LGBTQ CIVIL RIGHTS CASES UNDER TITLE VII As the Supreme Court grapples with the meaning of ‘sex’ under Title VII (7); Resilience wants to reaffirm our support of...

In honor of Resilience’s 45th anniversary and our theme “Celebrating Resilience,” we’re celebrating the people who make #OurResilience possible and telling the stories of some of our biggest supporters, starting with our volunteers. Resilience was founded in 1974 by a...

OurMusicMyBody is a campaign by Between Friends and Resilience promoting safe and consent-informed music experiences for all and trying to end sexual violence in music spaces. This grassroots movement relies on volunteers to both create a physical presence at music...

As you may have heard, the rape kit backlog has become a 2020 presidential campaign issue (see below for RAINN’s statement). We’re encouraging advocates to spread the word about the rape kit backlog — and urge Congress to pass S.820, the Debbie Smith Act,...

**IMPORTANT UPDATE AS OF MARCH 16, 2020: SPRING 2020 TRAINING HAS BEEN POSTPONED.** As of March 16, spring volunteer training has been postponed. We will keep our community and training registrants updated as information and guidance related to the spread of COVID-19...

We’re so pleased to welcome our FY2020 Board President Tom Andreesen! We interviewed Tom about his connection to the Resilience mission, his vision, and his new role as Board President. Keep reading to learn more about Tom: Tom Andreesen, FY2020 Board President Why...

We’re so pleased to welcome our inaugural Resilience Associate Board and our 2020 Associate Board President Alicia Babich! We interviewed Alicia about her connection to the Resilience mission, her vision, and her new role as Associate Board President. Keep...

In an article posted on Ascension’s website on April 11, 2019, Resilience’s new hospital partnership with AMITA Health Resurrection Medical Center Chicago was announced. You can read the full announcement...

In an article published in UPROXX on May 15, 2019, Prevention Educator Maggie Arthur was interviewed about her work for OurMusicMyBody, a collaborative campaign between Resilience and Between Friends to promote consensual music experiences.

TAKE ACTION! SB 1411 (Third Consideration in the House): CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES and tell them they must look at both tracking and timely resolution of our current backlog as this bill is considered. Click here to find your representative. Synopsis: Illinois State...

TAKE ACTION! No sexual assault survivor should be arrested when seeking medical aid. Call your state senator and tell them to support House Bill 92! Click here to find their info. Allows a Court Summons to be Issued instead of an Arrest for Survivors Seeking Emergency...

THE DECISION TO ENACT A BAN ON ABORTION IN GEORGIA AND ALABAMA IS HARMFUL TO SURVIVORS EVERYWHERE Resilience will always advocate for all people to have full agency over their bodies. Recently there has been an attack on the agency of people with uteruses to control...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF), Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual...

We are excited to share that we’ve partnered with a new hospital: AMITA Resurrection Health Medical Center Chicago. Our advocates have already begun responding to calls. Twenty-four hours a day, our Volunteer Medical Advocates are on call to provide crisis...

Resilience is supporting HB 92, House Amendment 001, which allows a person with an outstanding warrant for a non-violent crime to report sexual assault against them or seek medical treatment for that assault without concern of being arrested for the alleged...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF), Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual...

In January we asked the Chicago 2019 Mayoral candidates about their plans to address gender-based violence in Chicago. An updated version focusing on questionnaire answers from Lori Lightfoot and Toni Preckwinkle is now available. The guide was compiled by the Chicago...

At a press conference on Thursday, March 8, Director of Advocacy Services Mariá Balata, together with other representatives of local organizations that make up the Status of Women and Girls Working Group, joined the Office of the City Clerk in announcing...

Support HB 3550! “It’s never too early to begin educating about consent. Education on consent fosters compassion, empathy, accountability, and respect for others’ boundaries. It provides a framework for helping young people understand that the choices they make,...

In an op-ed published by the Chicago Alliance Against Sexual Exploitation, Executive Director Erin Walton, together with the other Executive Directors for the founding agencies of the Chicago Prevention Alliance (CPA), wrote about sexual violence against youth and the...

In a video interview published on Faith on the Journey, Prevention Educator Emma Gonzalez discusses the prevalence of sexual violence, rape myths affecting youth, and how adults can model consent for youth and prevent sexual...

Resilience has partnered with Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF), Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual...

OurMusicMyBody recently held a training for new volunteers. One of the campaign’s newest volunteers, a student at Walter Payton High School and a member of the Stop Sexual Assault in Schools Advisory Board, wrote a blog post about the training, reflecting on the...

We are thrilled to announce that our 16th annual Evening of Impact will take place on May 30, 2019 at Morgan Manufacturing in downtown Chicago. The theme of this year’s event is Prevention is Power, to demonstrate our commitment to prevention education. Watch...

Last year we asked you to submit a witness slip to stop a bill requiring a presumption that equal parenting time is in the best interest of all children in dissolution of marriage and parentage cases. The bill has resurfaced again as HB 185. We remain concerned that...

Resilience is looking for interns for 2020 in the following areas: Advocacy Counseling Education & Training Development If you’re interested in learning more and applying for an internship, please read our internship...

Please note that all Resilience offices will be closed on Wednesday, January 30th due to weather. If you need to speak with someone immediately, please call the Chicago Rape Crisis Hotline at 1-888-293-2080. Thank you for your understanding.

Resilience has partnered with Legal Assistance Foundation (LAF), Chicago’s largest provider of free, comprehensive civil legal aid, in an effort to assure survivors have access to civil attorneys who can provide support on legal matters that have arisen from sexual...

Co-Founders of A Long Walk Home Salamishah and Scheherazade Tillet co-authored their first op-ed in The New York Times today. The article, titled “After the ‘Surviving R. Kelly’ documentary, #MeToo Has Finally Returned to Black Girls,” reflects...

Kelley Kitley, owner of Serendipitous Psychotherapy, LLC in downtown Chicago and our 2018 Evening of Impact Featured Speaker, recently shared her personal story of sexual assault on NBC 5 on December 28, 2018. Kitley is a former Resilience client and a licensed...

On December 10, 2018, Director of Programs and Public Policy Sarah Layden submitted comments to express Resilience’s strong opposition to the changes regarding the public charge rules for inadmissibility. Resilience has grave concerns regarding the immense harm...

THE DECISION OF JUDGE RALPH STROTHER TO ACCEPT A PLEA DEAL FROM JACOB WALTER ANDERSON IS A HARMFUL MESSAGE TO SURVIVORS EVERYWHERE The decision issued just days ago by Judge Ralph Strother to dismiss four counts of sexual assault against Jacob Walter Anderson for...

It’s finally here! Today, on #GivingTuesday, you can invest in a world without sexual violence. By making an online gift to support our prevention education program, you will help us: Educate nearly 18,000 youth, parents, and teachers to prevent child sexual...

Dear Friend, Rape culture ends with prevention education. In our current social climate, where rape myths have a bigger voice than survivors, it is estimated that every 98 seconds a sexual assault happens. One in three women and one in six men experience some form of...

Midterm elections are right around the corner in Illinois, and in addition to electing representatives in the U.S. House, which has the potential to sway control between democratic and republican parties, Illinois voters will also choose a governor, an attorney...

The confirmation as a Supreme Court Justice is a lifelong appointment, which means one has lifelong privilege to interpret and uphold the laws of our country. A candidate that will potentially have this much impact on our nation should be vetted with the highest...

Women’s March Chicago (WMC) will once again take over Grant Park on October 13, 2018 at 9am, and is calling for us to come together and march as the polls open for early voting in Illinois. As policies affecting the intersectionality of survivor identities continues...

What do you do with Resilience? I’m a Volunteer Medical Advocate and Mentor to the August 2018 Volunteer Class Pronouns: She, her, hers What do you do outside of volunteering? Outside of volunteering, I get to manage the Sales Training & Development...